Colorado Springs Metro

Favorite: Cheyenne Mountain

Contenders: Liberty, Widefield

Top players: Candace Buckles, Fountain-Fort Carson, Jr.; Tiffanie Christofferson, Liberty, Sr.; Michelle Farley, Liberty, Sr.; Kelly Findorff, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Noel Gugliotta, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; Katy Hammond, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Erica Hatcher, Fountain-Fort Carson, Jr.; Amanda Hathaway, Liberty, Sr.; Kelly Lawson, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.;

Outlook: After coming up just short in its repeat bid last season, 2005 state champion Cheyenne Mountain looks loaded for another run at the title. The Indians have two of the top players in the state in Kelly Lawson and Kelly Findorff, and they have enough talent to play with anybody. Cheyenne Mountain’s biggest threat in league looks to come from Liberty, which reached the round of 16 last season. The Lancers return a solid group and they will be battle tested, as Liberty once again will play one of the most ambitious schedules in the state. Fountain-Fort Carson also has a strong group returning and should improve on last year’s .500 record.



Denver Prep

Favorite: Thomas Jefferson

Contenders: Lincoln, Denver South

Top players: Jennifer Maston, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; Daisy Rosales, Montbello, So.; Ellis Sprague, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.

Outlook: Thomas Jefferson has one of the top players in the league in Jennifer Maston, and a veteran group of seniors should have the Spartans aiming for the crown. Montbello lost a good senior class, but the Warriors should remain a factor.

Jefferson County

Favorite: Ralston Valley

Contenders: D’Evelyn, Conifer

Top players: Erica Buenger, Evergreen, Sr.; Karla Correll, Conifer, Sr.; Katie Horn, D’Evelyn, Sr.; Carissa London, Conifer, Sr.; Halleigh Loucks, Conifer, Jr.; Megan Shulte, Evergreen, Sr.; Emily Thorn, Evergreen, Jr.

Outlook: Ralston Valley has been the beast of this league for several seasons; the Mustangs remain the team to beat. The rest of the league is catching up, though, and this might be the season when someone catches the Mustangs. Conifer returns a big group of players and their leadership and experience should help them contend. Evergreen looks to improve on last season’s record and compete for a top-three finish. D’Evelyn has a solid core and could be a team on the rise.



Northern

Favorite: Broomfield

Contenders: Niwot, Silver Creek

Top players: Andrea Allison, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Taylor Bailey, Thompson Valley, Jr.; Danielle Birdsall, Broomfield, So.; Julie Covelli, Thompson Valley, Sr.; Brooke Drobney, Silver Creek, Sr.; Amanda Foulk, Broomfield, Sr.; Kalli Goldberg, Broomfield, Sr.; Jenna Hayes, Niwot, Sr.; Gabby Najera, Silver Creek, Sr.; Kate Russell, Silver Creek, Jr.

Outlook: This is the deepest and most talented contingent in the state, headed by defending 4A champion Broomfield. The Eagles should remain a top team, but they will have to overcome an injury to all-state forward Amanda Foulk during the first part of the season. Foulk should be back sometime around spring break, and she will bolster Broomfield’s repeat bid. Niwot has a player-of-the-year candidate in Jenna Hayes, and the Cougars will be looking to improve on last season’s semifinal finish. Silver Creek has loads of talent and should push for a top finish as well. The rest of the league is solid as well, and every team that advances could be a factor in the postseason.



Skyline

Favorite: Regis (regionals), Centaurus (regular season)

Contenders: Rock Canyon, Cherokee Trail

Top players: Caitlin Brookman, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Kyndal Carolus, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Deanni Davila, Skyview, Sr.; Brandi Hopkins, Mountain Range, So.; Lindsey Johnson, Cherokee Trail, Jr.; Caitlin Lopez, Skyview, Jr.; Lindsey Nelson, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; Kristelle Page, Skyview, Sr.; Taylor Temby, Rock Canyon, Sr.; Keelin Winters, Regis, Sr.;

Outlook: Regis and Rock Canyon qualify for regionals through the Skyline League after playing a 5A Continental League schedule. Both could be major factors in the postseason. Regis features player-of-the-year candidate Keelin Winters, and the Raiders could make a run at winning it all. Centaurus is the team to beat during the regular season, but the Warriors will be pushed on many fronts. Cherokee Trail will challenge, but it might take some time for the team to gel. The young Ranum Raiders have another year of experience under their belts and could be a team on the rise. Skyview had 11 freshme join the program this season, meaning the Wolverines will be building for the future.



South Central

Favorite: Pueblo Centennial

Contenders: Pueblo South, Pueblo West

Top players: Sabre Brill, Pueblo West, Jr.; Gianna Cassio, Pueblo West, Jr.; Carlie Garcia, Pueblo Centennial, Sr.; Liz Oba, Pueblo West, Sr.; Katie Thiebaut, Pueblo South, Sr.

Outlook: This league always seems to come down to the final week of the season, and this year should be no different. Pueblo Centennial gets the early nod but it could have just as easily went to Pueblo South or Pueblo West. South features one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the state in senior Katie Thiebaut, who already has netted more than 100 career goals.



Western Slope/Southwestern

Favorite: Battle Mountain

Contenders: Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs

Top players: Chambry Brouton, Palisade, Sr.; Kirstee Bunting, Palisade, Sr.; Julia Burnett, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Nicole Covington, Montrose, Sr.; Bonnie Fetterman, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Kelsey Frazier, Montrose, Sr.l Mollie Gurule, Montrose, Sr.; Jamie Love-Nichols, Montezuma-Cortez, Jr.; Caity Rowell, Montezuma-Cortez, Sr.; Kelsey Sanders, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Stephanie Spor, Delta, Jr.

Outlook: Battle Mountain could not only be the best team in the league, it could be one of the top squads in the state. Julie Burnett and Kelsey Sanders are a dangerous duo up front and they will pace the offensive attack. Montezuma-Cortez is trying to reach the playoffs for only the second time in school history. The Panthers believe they have the team to do it.

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